#log 95

I forgot to post this afew days ago but in my last monster hunter session I

Helped my friend with limited bounties so he could get the autumn harvest festival layered armor and then I Did a blind run on arch tempered lunastra

I did a lot better on the second run because I remembered to pack astera jerky it helped a lot the arch tempered lunastra isn’t that too much different then regular lunastra arch tempered lunastras super nova is just super OP 😬

--[ Entry Hall(#1316RAJL0) ]-------------------------[ Feldane Townhouse ]----

   The Feldane entry hall, arrived at through great reinforced doors and    

   the curtain wall with iron pikes that surround the house, looms rather    

   than welcomes. An ornate central staircase dominates the space,          

   curving out to three sides. Long, filigree, wrought-iron benches sit      

   against crimson papered walls. An enormous chandelier, dripping          

   expensive crystal, more curving, gilded iron and candles by the          

   dozens, provides most of the light. It is echoed in a series of wall      

   sconces placed around enormous portraits of presumably past Feldanes.    

                                                                               A vase sits in a niche beside each archway; the one on the west leads    

   to the parlor; to the east are a pair - the formal receiving room, and    

   the very small office used by the butler and housekeeper. To the          

   southwest, a curving arch leads to the library, matched on the            

   southeast by the arch to the formal dining room. Past the staircase,      

   split by it in fact, is the entrance to the inner courtyard. The          

   central, grand staircase leads up to the private areas of the house.      

   Alec is here.                                                            

----------------------------------------------[ Exits: S E W SE SW U Out ]----

Another gorgeous late summer day gives way to twilight, the lingering warmth slipping into a cool evening as the thumb smudges of crimson and gold fade on the horizon with the setting of the sun. At the Feldane townhouse, things are relatively quiet all in all with the family members scattered here and there in various occupations. Any visitors to the house are greeted at the door by a precisely dressed, and exceedingly formal footman before being escorted to the parlor.

Alec looks and feels out of place the moment he arrives. He looks around as he follows the footman, glancing about at the decor.

You feel a gentle pressure in your mind. Someone is trying to reach you via your Trump.

You accept the Trump contact from Dirk.

To the image of Dirk, Alec looks up as he walks. "Hello?"

With a nod, the footman gestures to the parlor "In here my lord. I will let Lady Meg know that you are here. I think that she might be in the library. In the meantime, I will send for some refreshments.

Alec is ushered into the parlor and within a minute or two a maid bustles in with a tray containing a silver coffee service and a plate of tiny frosted cakes. "Her ladyship said that she'll be right with you my lord, but that you should help yourself to some refreshments. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

The image of Dirk says, "HeY Pinfeather what's up?"

--[ Parlor ]-----------------------------------------[ Feldane Townhouse ]----

   Sunlight pours down into this room from high windows on three sides,      

   creating a warm and cheerful space even on grim days and lending a        

   sense of drama at night. Richly carpeted in persian rugs, comfortably    

   furnished with sofas and heavily embroidered large chairs, it is          

   clearly intended to receive people and set them at ease. The heavy        

   midnight drapes may not help that effort, even pulled back from the      

   windows as they are, although they manage not to clash with the pale      

   yellow walls. An intricately carved sideboard takes up one wall; a        

   grand piano is set at an angle to the french doors leading out to a      

   small courtyard. A single sword, utilitarian in design but carefully      

   mounted, hangs behind one of the comfortable chairs.                      

                                                                               A pair of pretty vases occupy niches on either side of the archway to    

   the entry hall and the sets of french doors - one pair leading out to    

   one of the smaller side gardens and another pair leading south to the    

   library.                                                                

   Alec and Maeghan are here.                                              

------------------------------------------------------------[ Exits: S E ]----

To the image of Dirk, Alec sighs, and it's unclear if it's from being referred to as "pinfeather" or "lord." Probably the latter. He's too distracted with his trump call to correct the first instance, but the second time, he says "I'm not a lord, but thanks for the food." He sits in a chair and grabs one of the tiny cakes before he turns his attention back to his call. "Hey Dad. I'm visiting Maeghan. What did you need?"

The image of Dirk says, "Pull me through cause I want to meet Meggers."

To the image of Dirk, Alec shrugs. "She's not here just yet. I'm still waiting. But if you really want me to pull you through, then sure."

The maid smiles and curtsies as she exits the parlor. A minute or two passes and then Maeghan rushes in "Alec! A pleasure to see you. How are you?" The girl takes in the refreshments and gives a nod of approval before moving towards a chair, "I hope you are well. I apologize it took me so long, I was in the middle of a rather tricky transplanting. What brings you to House Feldane? A social visit?" The young woman smiles hopefully, "Or business?"

To the image of Dirk, Alec starts to reach out his hand when Maeghan arrives, and he pauses and looks to her and nods in greeting. "More business than social," he says. "Last night was very interesting and I have a lot to tell you. I also have a favor to ask my dad, and he conveniently just trumped me. He wants to come through to say hi. Hope you don't mind."

Dirk appears suddenly, grasping Alec's hand.

Dirk has arrived.

"Oh, of course." Maeghan nods to it being business and then smiles, "No, I do not mind Dirk's presence." Pouring herself a cup of coffee, adding a bit of cream..sugar..cinnamon...and a few shavings of chocolate, the girl sits down. Stirring her concoction, she watches the trump action and notes "I need to go see Lord Sullivan so he can make a trump of me to give my father."

Dirk says, "I missed you Meggers. Seriously I missed you."

Alec nods. "I'm still interested in joining you for that. Maybe I could learn a thing or two about trumps from watching." He reaches for another cake. "And I wanted to tell you there's no need to help Catriona anymore. I have more information about what she's trying to do, if you're interested, but she's decided to give me what I want for a much lower and more interesting price."

Dirk nods "I saw him a while ago and he ratted me out for being a human in cat form. He was fine." He sighs softly

Dirk looks at Alec, "Do I need to kill her and knock some sense into your head."

Alec gives a sheepish grin. "I'd usually say yes, but not this time. She wants some of the stuff your friend gave me when I was hearing voices. She wants to recover and stop being controlled by Chaos. That's her new price for the order relic."

Dirk laughs "Its not that easy but if you can convince my friend to do that then ok you can do that."

Take a sip of her coffee, Meg glances over at Alec and arches a brow skeptically "I...really...don't think that Chaos works like that, take some herbs and suddenly you do not need to worry about Chaos controlling you. Even so, has Catriona found someone else to act as medium?"

Dirk pulls out a flask and opens it to take a drink. "I am all in favor of killing her outright and then dumping her body in shadow to rot."

Alec shakes his head to Maeghan's question. "She hasn't found someone else, but she seems less interested in pressuring me to find her someone. Still, she did give more details about the who and why behind it. She wants to reach Taran Solaris because she blames herself for his death and wants closure. That's all." He shrugs. "But as I said, her price is no longer a medium to talk to him, so you're free to tell me a "no" to pass on to her and I won't pressure you. As for the drink, it at least quiets the voices and makes them easier to ignore. It's better than nothing. But she was fully lucid last night, for a change, and she seemed worried about losing her mind entirely. I said I'd see what I could do to help her, and she's the one who offered the Order Relic for the drink instead of bringing her a Feldane to help her talk to Taran."

Dirk says "I'd talk to Taran for her."

"Dirk, darling...I don't think that is quite the way to do it either; however, it says something when even his Grace, my Great Uncle Basil, is skeptical and says that assisting her is a bad idea." Maeghan glances at Alec and arches a brow "Alec, I *did* tell you no. I am *still* telling you no. And quite honestly, I am skeptical of all of this Alec." The girl sighs and shakes her head as she gazes at her friend, "Chaos is *not* something to....to...get involved with."

Dirk nods "It cost my dad quite a bit."

Alec nods. "I know. But you said you wanted to hear more about who her target was and why she wanted to reach him, so that's what I went and found out. I'll tell her it was a resounding no. And I'm already finding out the hard way that Chaos isn't something to mess with. But with Catriona, it sounds like she might be trying to leave her craziness behind her." He shrugs. "Then again, I should probably run all this by Marlene before I do anything. She's good at seeing through stuff."

"It costs everyone who gets involved with it quite a bit." The girl takes a sip of her coffee, a worried frown marring her smooth brow "I guess I am skeptical Alec...and yes please, promise me...promise me that you will speak with the Lady Marlene before you do anything for the former Lady Karm. I just don't trust this sudden change in desired objective so to speak. What herb is it that she wants anyway? We grow pretty much everything here and I am sure to at least be aware of it if not familiar with it. I can't think of anything that truly gets rid of Chaos voices?"

Dirk nods "And it takes forever and a whole lot of effort to contain Chaos. Caine needed every red heads help he could get. Catriona doesn't rate that."

"But even if it can't be contained, the symptoms can be treated. That much was proven when I was hearing voices for a bit there." Alec looks to Dirk. "And I think that's all she really wants: proof she's not going to be completely consumed by the chaos and some temporary relief from the insanity."

Dirk says "I wouldn't go anywhere near her but if you can convince Justin then you can try."

"Listen to your father Alec...and were your voices due to Chaos? I think not. You are getting very caught up with her and it worries me." Maeghan sets her coffee cup down and clasps her hands together in her lap, "Just...promise me that you will talk with Lady Marlene first? Please? And perhaps...I don't know, take Zachary with you...or someone to...to be there to help you in case all of this goes wrong and ends up biting you in the ass."

Dirk nods "Just talk to Marlene then leave it alone. Let Catriona do her own dirty work."

Alec glances at Dirk while he speaks to Maeghan. "Actually, interacting with her has already bitten me in the ass... The voices I experienced were indeed from Chaos," he says slowly, gaze returning to Maeghan. "I got a bit of liquid Chaos on me which made me hear things, but the effects wore off without anything lingering. Marlene and Quinlan both confirmed that there wasn't any leftover chaos taint. As for why I keep talking to her, well, I can't escape her. She's everywhere I go. And someone read our fortunes and our fates our connected..." He sighs. "Trust me: I've tried to avoid her. Unless I spend the rest of my life deep in Arden, though, I get the feeling that's going to happen. And even if I do hide in the forest, I'm sure she'd even find me then."

Dirk says "Yep I might just kill her. Fuck with my family I kill you."

Arching her brow, Maeghan gives a little snort "Rediculous. I have had entrails read, I have had tarot read, I have had my fortune read three ways until Sunday and none of them say the same thing. The future is constantly in flux and a state of change, nothing is set in stone. To say otherwise is to thumb your nose at Amber's history...and personally, she is not all that. Tell her no, leave her be, and find a girl who is nice or who is racy...but isn't absolutely crazy. Because if you continue to see her, you will be tainted by Chaos and you will lose everything. I don't have to be able to read fortunes to read that." With a shrug, the girl shakes her head "I like you Alec...Dirk is my best friend and you are his son...I will do what I can to help you, but if you keep running after something that is bad for you there is not much anyone can do to help."

Alec sighs. "I know. I know..." He slouches backward in his seat. "Thanks for the talk. I'll tell Catriona your 'no' next time I see her, and I'll talk to Marlene and get her opinions on all this and see what she thinks is best."

Dirk nods and hugs his kid as he drinks from his flask.

Standing up, Maeghan moves over and bends to give Alec a tight hug "I am sorry Alec, I feel like I have been horrible and mean and negative." Straightening she chews her lower lip, "I just don't want to see you hurt or worse. Rather than *see* her, why don't you let me write a letter with the Feldane no. Where should it be delivered? That way, you really do not need to see her again."

Dirk nods "exactly."

Alec returns both hugs. "No, you haven't been mean, Maeghan and if you were, I probably deserve it. I've been stupid regarding her." He sighs. "She has a ship. I'm pretty sure it's still docked here in Amber. That might be the best way to reach her. And I'll go send Marlene and Justin each a bird to try to meet with them." But it sounds like I'm about to spend a lot of time in Arden either way, so I'll be free from her for at least a little while..."

Dirk nods "yeppers jalepeno peppers."

"You should stay here" Maeghan gives a little shrug, "We have guest rooms. It is much more comfortable than Arden...trust me...*I* know. Arden is nice in tiny doses, for large extended stays...the Feldane Townhouse is much more comfortable." There is a pause, and then the girl sighs "I understand what it is like to be really stupid over someone. Either way, I will write her tomorrow and have it delivered to her ship."

Dirk smiles and hugs Meggers too. He's very huggy when he's not a cat.

"Thanks for the offer, but I've been spending my nights in Dirk's room in Karm. She's not allowed there, so it feels safe. My problem is that I like to grab dinner in the city some nights before turning in." Alec sighs. "And as for Arden, I'm about to do my ranger test and I don't know how long I'll be stuck there. But either way, thanks for writing her."

"Ohhhhh the ranger test! Is that with the Warden?" Maeghan gives a sigh and then nods, "I suppose you are correct. I will come visit you in Eastgate perhaps." Glancing over at Dirk, she asks "Do you think I would be allowed? Zach and I did not part on good terms." Her cheeks turn bright pink, "it...was...my fault. At any rate..." looking at Alec she grins, "Arden is alright. Know that you are always welcome at House Feldane. I am sure it is quite safe. There are many things here that are very unpleasant to those who are not welcome."

Alec smiles. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind, and maybe I'll switch things up a bit and stay the night here instead when I'm in the area. Some nights, I'm just not in the mood to be walked all over by cats." He grins in Dirk's direction as he says that. "As for the ranger test, I don't know. I don't even know what to expect. But if you want, I can talk to Zach and see if he'll let you come back to Arden to visit."

The girl's blush deepens and Meg gives a little shake of her head "Noooo....I...I will write him. We...well...we need to work things out if they can be worked out. It will be alright. I am sure that I can visit Eastgate no problem, I would like to see Harper again as well." Smiling faintly, she adds "You will do fine on the test I am sure. And yes, just let me know when you will be in town and I will make sure one of the guest rooms is ready for you."

Dirk says "Why does Meggers need Zach's permission? Its not his forest after all."

Alec looks from the blushing Maeghan to Dirk as he asks that question, and then back to Maeghan. "He's not the one you went a little stupid over, is he?"

The girl looks a little sulky and hrmphs, "There are some ways you are very much like your father." Maeghan gives a shrug and looks at Dirk "It is the polite thing to do, it is not *his* forest, but the forest is his home. I...just....it will work out as it is meant to." Sitting down, she pours another cup of coffee and then adds wryly "I am sure Alec that there are many who might say that I occasionally act rather stupid over a lot of things....but...yes. Zachary and I have had a very...tumultuous..relationship in the past. And now, I rather think it is over for good...whether we like it or not."

Dirk says "Armand is a brat. But at least you two can be passing friends."

Alec grins. "Marlene compares me to Dad all the time. I guess there really is no denying I'm his." He grabs another of the cakes. "Though, I'd like to clear up that I don't have any romantic feelings toward Catriona. My stupidity is just the plain sort, mostly caused by the fact that I have no idea what's going on."

Dirk says "How does she compare you to me? What does she say? I am curious."

"No, don't say that about Armand." Maeghan shakes her head "He cares about his brother very much." The girl eyes Alec over the rim of her coffe cup and arches a dark brow skeptically "Of course not...and I wouldn't be thrilled if Zachary talked to my father about courting me like Khalid has." Sipping her coffee, she adds "You may not have romantic feelings precisely but there is a fascination there that is not merely the plain sort." Glancing over at Dirk, she giggles "Why don't you ask her for yourself rather than heresay?"

Dirk says "Because I am asking Alec first. There's no Marley Barley here is there?" He grins and laughs.

Alec looks between them. "I haven't met Armand yet," he says. "And I suppose you're right about there being a fascination, but I can't exactly explain what it is." He thinks a moment and then shrugs before addressing Dirk. "No, I think you should ask Marlene herself. I can always trump you whenever I end up going to meet with her. It would almost be like a repeat of today."

Dirk says "No just tell me?" He pokes Alec in the shoulder.